[COD] Newbie's Rise to Power

He squatted down, reached into the lake and scooped up some wet mud, which he then smeared inside the container before pouring water into it.

"Let it in."

He holds the container and hands it to you.

You immediately pulled your hand out of the water and put the small fish into the container.

You climb ashore, then sit on a chair and rub your wet feet against your trouser legs to dry them so you can put on your shoes.

During this break, you can ask Nicole about the water delivery that day.

"It's nothing, I just happened to have some water on me at the time, and you seemed to need some too."

Nicoto answered, his tone indifferent.

Is it really that simple?

You look at Nicholas...

Well, if it's him, it's certainly very possible.

You put on your shoes and walk back with Nicole.

Nicholas didn't ask you any questions about your departure, nor did he express any reluctance.

You stand still, then take something out of your pocket and hand it to him.

It is a stone, but its shape is somewhat peculiar. Two small stones protrude from the rounded edge, making it look like a cartoon bear head.

This is what you found when you were slacking off just now.

"You don't need to worry about not being able to raise it properly, right?"

You said with a smile, referring to his previous refusal of the fireflies.

Since we've met, the gifts don't matter in terms of price; they're mainly for keeping as a memento.

Nicoto looked at the stone in your palm and reached out his hand.

After he put the stone in his pants pocket, he pulled out a dagger and handed it to you.

You look at him: "This is..."

Nicoto: "A return gift."

You look at the dagger and think to yourself that this gift is quite special.

It's just a stone for a dagger, don't you think that's a bad deal, brother!

Okay, gifts don't have to be expensive or cheap...

You took the dagger and thanked him:

"Thank you for the gift, I will keep it safe."

Then you tell him your contact information, and that you will accept the request once you get your phone back, and that you should keep in touch.

After parting ways with Nicoto, you carried the container of fish and headed towards Su An'er's medical room.

She'll probably like this gift, right?

You think to yourself.

ch.64: What about mine?

"Little squirrel, we hope to meet again someday."

"Kruger, make sure you get this Asian girl to safety."

When you left, quite a few people actually came to see you off.

Although they never call you by your name properly, you can still feel their friendliness at this moment.

You wave to them and give them a genuine smile.

"See you again someday, brothers."

The image of a little girl calling out "brothers" to a group of tall, burly men made them burst out laughing.

You feel helpless, but you've already gotten used to their irreverence.

Meanwhile, Su An'er walks towards you, holding a transparent glass jar containing the little fish you gave her.

"I've already ordered a fish tank and will take good care of it. You have to think of me and it too."

Su An'er said with a smile, but a hint of reluctance was revealed in her eyes.

You nodded vigorously: "I will definitely miss you."

Then he pointed to the small fish in the glass jar.

"And this too."

"gone."

Kruger interrupted you, ending the farewell.

You said to Su An for the last time, "Goodbye, Su An'er."

Then he waved to the others and shouted, "Goodbye, everyone!"

They all respond to you at the same time.

Goodbye, yn.

Goodbye, little squirrel.

"goodbye..."

You opened the passenger door and got in.

Kruger drove away from his base, gradually pulling away until the base slowly disappeared from view.

The silence inside the car lasted as long as the car traveled.

Can I listen to music?

You took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence.

Kruger didn't refuse, manually connected via Bluetooth, then turned on his phone and opened the playlist.

A melodious country tune filled the car.

You raise an eyebrow, surprised that Kruger, who seems so cool and aloof, would listen to such a playlist.

However... looking out the car window at the lush green scenery, accompanied by the country tunes playing in the car, it's quite pleasant.

This gradually eases your mood, and you can't help but hum along softly.

Even if you can't sing, it doesn't stop you from following the melody.

I'd rather sail away...

(Leave, fly far away)

Like a swan that's here and gone...

(Like a swan, coming and going freely)

A man gets tied up to the ground...

(The person is bound to the ground)

He gives the world its saddest sound...

(He uttered the saddest voice to the world)

...

"What about mine?"

Kruger suddenly spoke up.

"Huh? What?"

What do you mean by "him"? This is baseless and leaves you confused.

"Su An'er has a little fish, and even that guy Nikoto has a broken rock! As your savior, aren't you planning to give me one too?"

Kruger tilts his head to look at you, his eyes sharp, as if he could throw you out the moment you say no.

You exclaim in surprise: "My God, how did you know!"

It's one thing to know about Su An'er's fish, since she just showed it off, but how did Nicoto know?

You feel a chill down your spine, as if you're being watched.

Kruger looked at you speechlessly: "Doesn't your base have a group chat?"

Your heart sank, followed by a sense of helplessness.

"Do you even have to talk about things like this in the group chat?"

Kruger drove with his eyes fixed straight ahead, yet he responded to you:

"Su An'er was showing off there, and then Nicholas posted a picture saying he had one too."

You: The other people not in the group...

"That's right, I was mocked because I didn't have it."

Kruger then emphasized, "So, what about me?!"

To prevent the Android head from going berserk, you quickly calmed it down:

"Yes, yes! How could we forget you? We can't forget anyone else!"

Then, you started rummaging through the plastic bag you had brought with you to carry your things.

After searching for a while, you took the item in your hand and handed it to Kruger.

"Thorn-"

With a screech of brakes, the vehicle came to a sudden stop by Kruger.

He stared at what was in your palm, frowned, and asked: